User feedback in maternity services

This report looks at what maternity services are doing locally to collect, analyse and act on user feedback. It describes the challenges of adopting the different approaches and highlights the features of organisations that are successful in user feedback activities.

User feedback in maternity services
L Wenzel, J Jabbal
The King's Fund
October 2016

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The state of maternity services in England

"Improving people’s experiences of maternity care therefore requires providers to hear and respond to user feedback, and to ensure that staff feel supported to provide the best quality care."

The state of maternity services in England: Policy briefing
G Paparella
Picker Institute
July 2016

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Improving maternal confidence in neonatal care through a checklist intervention

"These results suggest that introduction of a simple checklist can be successfully utilised to improve confidence of mothers in being able to care for their newborn child. Further investigation is indicated, but this intervention has the potential for routine application in postnatal care."

Improving maternal confidence in neonatal care through a checklist intervention
D Radenkovic et al.
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2016;5: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u210655.w4292

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Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project

"Induction of labour (IOL) in maternity care is often not an area of priority in maternity services, which often results in protracted delays, a poor patient experience, and patient complaints. Caesarean section (CS) rates among women undergoing IOL at this inner city district general hospital were noted to be higher than other units nationwide."

Improving induction of labour - a quality improvement project addressing Caesarean section rates and length of process in women undergoing induction of labour
S O'Dwyer, C Raniolo, J Roper, M Gupta
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports 2015;4: doi:10.1136/bmjquality.u203804.w4027

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Using Incentives To Improve Experience In Maternity, Children And Young People's Services

"The report will discuss three core recommendations, each with a number of sub-recommendations to support local, regional and national discussions on how CQUINs and other financial incentive schemes can be used to improve the quality and effectiveness of maternity, children and young people’s services." 

Using Incentives To Improve Experience In Maternity, Children And Young People's Services
P Kumalo, M Cunnington
NHS South East CSU
July 2015

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Costing statement: Intrapartum care: care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth

"Implementing the recommendations in the guideline is expected to lead to more women giving birth in settings other than obstetric units than is currently the case. CCGs and hospital trusts should work together to consider the impact this would have on planning service provision."

Costing statement: Intrapartum care: care of healthy women and their babies during childbirth 
Implementing the NICE guideline on intrapartum care (CG190)
NICE
December 2014

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Perinatal staff perceptions of safety and quality in their service

"In this study we set out to assess staff perceptions of safety and quality of a maternity service and to explore potential influences on service safety."

Perinatal staff perceptions of safety and quality in their service
SV Sinni, EM Wallace, WM Cross
BMC Health Services Research 2014, 14:591  doi:10.1186/s12913-014-0591-4

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The reconfiguration of clinical services

"This paper aims to help those planning and implementing major clinical service reconfigurations ensure that change is as evidence-based as possible. It investigates the five key drivers – quality, workforce, cost, access and technology"

The reconfiguration of clinical services: What is the evidence?
C Imison, L Sonola, M Honeyman, S Ross
The King's Fund
November 2014

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A review of support available for loss in early and late pregnancy

"The purpose of this work is threefold: 

1. To highlight with stakeholders the need to consider this patient group when commissioning services and quality monitoring processes
2. To identify gaps and opportunities to work in partnership across all sectors to improve the experience, quality and consistency of care provided
3. To acknowledge practitioners and practice, and in doing so, encourage others to reflect on their own service and practice and if needs be take action to move forwards."

A review of support available for loss in early and late pregnancy

NHS Improving Quality

February 2014

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Innovation and improvement in maternity services

"This guide, which has been produced in association with the Involvement and Participation Association (IPA), therefore provides some timely examples of ways in which maternity services are innovating and making improvements to the care that women and families receive, and at the same time doing so within budget or even generating efficiency savings."

Innovation and improvement in maternity services
The Royal College of Midwives
July 2012

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Birthplace in England - new evidence

"The Birthplace cohort study is the largest study of its kind in the world, designed to inform those who plan, commission and deliver maternity services."

Birthplace in England - new evidence
SDO Network
NHS Confederation
June 2012

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Improving safety in maternity services

Improving safety in maternity services: a toolkit for teams, has been developed by Vinice Thomas and Anna Dixon at The King's Fund, and is organised around five key areas for improvement in maternity care on which the teams focused:

• teamworking
• communication
• training
• information and guidance
• staffing and leadership